GOLDEN, Colorado — #1 Mines has not had many tests this season.
They had outscored opponents 576-129, but today’s Regional Final game against Central Washington proved to be a real challenge. Ultimately, the Orediggers came away with the win 38-14 and are on to the National Semifinals.
Tied 14-14 in the third quarter, the Orediggers looked like they may be in trouble. Enter star quarterback John Matocha. It was the first game since 2019 that Matocha did not throw a touchdown pass. But in the second half, he used his legs. He ran for 83 yards, setting up drive after drive. After the game, Matocha’s leadership was all that could be talked about, “When we came in that locker room, we were down a little bit, but John was not worried at all,” said running back and Erie High School alum Noah Roper, who ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns in the win. “He has that passion, he has that love, and having someone who’s just a fearless leader and just like ferociously wants to win no matter what, and just loves his team with that much passion, that’s irreplaceable.”
Mines Head Coach Pete Sterbick feels the same way about his QB, “It’s been that way since his first Start, in 2019, against Black Hills State. Going in you didn’t know what was going to happen with a true freshman quarterback but it’s exactly what Noah said and it’s been like that for four seasons.”
Matocha was 16 of 25 for 225 yards. He threw one interception and was sacked four times, showing frustration. But in the end, he came through. At one point, he went airborne and attempted to dive into the end zone at the goal line. He was helicoptered into the air, and didn’t end up scoring. But that exact play, which set up a Mines touchdown, is what his teammates loved to see, “It just goes back to showing the team how bad I want it. How bad we want it,” said the redshirt senior. “The way I feel and the way I lead is just trying to lead by example and if they see me diving in and putting my body on the line to get six points, they’ll back me up and they absolutely did.”
The Orediggers stopped a dangerous Wildcat run game, only allowing seven rushing yards. The Orediggers ran for 255. Mines did struggle with penalties, having nine for 78 yards, “We’ve got more work to do,” said Sterbick. “We know we can get better and keep taking steps but this is what we set out to do.”
The Orediggers will take on Kutztown next Saturday at 1:30 at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden.